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K-pop boy band BTS visit the “Today” Show at Rockefeller Plaza in February 2020 in New York City. Photo: Getty Images
South Korea

BTS are back! A new album and tour are coming after their military service

South Korea’s top act has been on hiatus since 2022 for military service. Their new album is the first since 2022’s record-breaking ‘Proof’.

TV shows and streaming video

KPop Demon Hunters pop-up proves huge hit in Seoul. Next up is Hong Kong

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Why the ‘King of K-pop’ Lee Soo-man is looking at the China market

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K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop stars BTS announce new album and world tour to come in 2026

BTS are set to return with an album that will ‘reflect each member’s thoughts and ideas’ and a world tour, their first in nearly four years.

BTS at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in 2022, in Las Vegas. The K-pop septet are set to return with an album and a world tour in 2026. Photo: TNS
BTS at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in 2022, in Las Vegas. The K-pop septet are set to return with an album and a world tour in 2026. Photo: TNS
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

All about K-pop giants BTS as last member finishes up military service

BTS’ seven members are expected to reunite later this year. Before they do, we examine their global impact, records and advocacy journey.

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Music

BTS Army celebrate group’s return by helping South Korean adoptees

As BTS return from military service, the Army fandom launches a project to help adoptees reconnect with or learn about their birth families.

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K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Will BTS make a comeback with members’ military service nearly over?

Four more members of superstar Korean boy band finish their compulsory military service this week, raising fans’ hopes they’ll perform again.

BTS promote their single “Butter” in 2021. Members of the Korean boy band V (far left), Jungkook (centre), RM (third from right) and Jimin (second from right) will complete their mandatory military service in South Korea this week. Photo: AP
BTS promote their single “Butter” in 2021. Members of the Korean boy band V (far left), Jungkook (centre), RM (third from right) and Jimin (second from right) will complete their mandatory military service in South Korea this week. Photo: AP
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Teen ex-member of K-pop girl group sues alleging abuse, exploitation

JYP USA is being sued for child labour law violations, abuse and exploitation by Kiera Grace Madder, formerly of K-pop girl group VCHA.

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K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

(G)-IDLE rebrand as I-dle and release new six-track album We Are

The K-pop girl group say they will no longer be defined by labels like ‘girl’ or ‘gender’ and that We Are marks ‘another leap forward’.

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K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop’s BoyNextDoor on new EP No Genre, their coming Lollapalooza debut

BoyNextDoor, defying genre norms with their new EP, talk about putting ‘honesty’ in their songs, their dream stage and defining an era.

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From left: Taesan, Sungho, Jaehyun, Leehan, Riwoo and Woonhak of BoyNextDoor. They talk about putting “honesty” in their songs, their dream stage and defining an era. Photo: courtesy of KOZ Entertainment
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Soft power at heart of China-South Korea thaw, with benefits for K-pop fans

Chinese fans of K-pop, K-dramas and Korean beauty products no longer need unofficial channels. Korean tourists relish easier entry to China.

Hip-hop trio Homies were among the first Korean acts to perform in mainland China after an unofficial ban on K-pop concerts, imposed in 2016 in response to South Korea’s deployment of a US missile system, was lifted. Photo: homieduel_homies/Instagram
Hip-hop trio Homies were among the first Korean acts to perform in mainland China after an unofficial ban on K-pop concerts, imposed in 2016 in response to South Korea’s deployment of a US missile system, was lifted. Photo: homieduel_homies/Instagram
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

British boy band dearAlice’s journey from K-pop novices to idols

Recruited through a BBC reality-TV series, dearAlice members confess they knew little about K-pop before they began their training in Seoul.

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K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop boy band Re:wind talk about chasing their dreams for a second time

Eddie, Elaya and Lei had all auditioned and trained in Korea to be idols before leaving the industry, only to return to it and join Re:wind.

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K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

As famous as BTS? Meet Plave, virtual K-pop boy band made up of 2D avatars

Plave, a record-breaking virtual group blending human motion-capture with two-dimensional avatars, are aiming for global fame like BTS.

An image of K-pop virtual boy band Plave posted to Instagram in March to mark their second anniversary. Plave are aiming for global fame like BTS. Photo: Instagram/plave_official
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Mainland China to host first K-pop concert since ‘K-wave ban’ began in 2016

Epex’s concert in Fuzhou on May 31 is raising expectations that Beijing may ease restrictions on K-pop culture in mainland China.

Eight-member K-pop boy band Epex debuted on June 8, 2021 with the EP Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety. Photo: C9 Entertainment
Eight-member K-pop boy band Epex debuted on June 8, 2021 with the EP Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety. Photo: C9 Entertainment
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

‘Extremely risky’ for NJZ, formerly NewJeans, to pursue new direction

Lawyers raise concerns as the K-pop girl group – due to perform in Hong Kong in March – remain mired in lawsuits with Hybe Labels’ Ador.

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Exo gear up for full group comeback as Kai completes military service

With member Kai’s military service complete, a full group comeback is on the cards once Sehun completes his duty in September.

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K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Surprise for G-Dragon fans as bandmate reveals star’s concert return

‘G-Dragon’s concert is in March,’ Daesung of BigBang tells crowd during a show by fellow bandmate Taeyang. It will be his first in 8 years.

G-Dragon (left) and Taeyang of BigBang on stage at the latter’s concert in Incheon, South Korea, on February 1, during which their band mate Daesung revealed an upcoming G-Dragon concert. Photo: Instagram/bigbangram
G-Dragon (left) and Taeyang of BigBang on stage at the latter’s concert in Incheon, South Korea, on February 1, during which their band mate Daesung revealed an upcoming G-Dragon concert. Photo: Instagram/bigbangram
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop group Oneus members reflect on new album Dear.M and look back

Oneus members talk about competing in two seasons of the Road to Kingdom reality show and how the Dear.M album is a thank you to their fans.

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K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Baby V. O. X, 2NE1, BigBang … older K-pop faves are coming back

K-pop legends like 1990s girl group Baby V. O. X, 2NE1, BigBang and GFriend have been making highly successful returns to the stage.

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K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop boy group GOT7 to make 2025 comeback, release new album

GOT7’s leader Jay B announces the 7-member K-pop group will reunite in January 2025 and issue an album, says ‘we’re working hard’.

K-pop group GOT7 (pictured) will make a comeback in January 2025 featuring all seven members, and release a new album. Photo: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Illit become top K-pop rookie act of 2024, sweeping multiple awards

Despite ongoing controversy, with NewJeans’ ex-producer alleging plagiarism, Illit have claimed the title of 2024’s top K-pop rookie act.

Illit has been making waves in the music scene since debuting in March. Photo: Instagram/royentertainmentshine
Illit has been making waves in the music scene since debuting in March. Photo: Instagram/royentertainmentshine
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop group (G)I-DLE to renew contracts, Aespa’s rise continues

(G)I-DLE get over their 7-year itch, and win record of the year at MMAs, where girl group Aespa take 7 prizes and TWS win rookie of the year.

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

If K-pop’s Seventeen are ‘textbook’ excellent, why aren’t they dominating?

Seventeen balance charm and edge, are excellent ‘across the board’ – but critics say they are not unique and lack a universally beloved song.

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K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop’s NewJeans announce split from agency Ador, citing a lack of respect

Members promise to fight for the use of girl group’s name, with Danielle saying ‘NewJeans never die’ and they hope to put out new music.

Members of NewJeans attend a press conference in Seoul to declare the termination of their contract with label Ador, citing multiple reasons including unfair treatment. Photo: AP
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